Bumper pull revisited

[Centermass]

Anyone buy a camper from Camping World?

I’m going this weekend to talk a price for a Coleman Lantern LT.

[mitdr774]

Based on observation on the few visits to Camping World locations, expect inflated prices and crap customer service.

[Wambli Ska]

Just a thought but I’ve seen tons of the smaller airstreams for sale at VERY reasonable prices. I’ve often thought of buying one and refurbishing it and configuring it to my needs as a full custom project. I really like the classics.

[Varmintmist]

Didnt get my camper there, but I have bought stuff from them. No hassles so far.

[Justsomedude]

I know nothing about buying a new camper but I have seen a bunch of nice looking used ones on Facebook marketplace. And Zorba, we don't need a tirade about FB.

[jbp-ohio]

Just a thought but I’ve seen tons of the smaller airstreams for sale at VERY reasonable prices. I’ve often thought of buying one and refurbishing it and configuring it to my needs as a full custom project. I really like the classics.

They still make them new in Ohio. Big brand new factory. They even repair the old ones there.

[Wambli Ska]

They are timeless, really high quality and they hold their value really well. I was looking at new ones for fun but damn!!! $$$$$$$$

[12th Man]

My wife and I purchased a new 27' (31" total) bumper pull Mesa Ridge RV with one pull out back at the end of Aug. We took it yesterday on our longest trip, 250 miles to Fredericksburg TX in the heart of the hill country. This place is beautiful, We're really enjoying our new RV. This is the third trip. We've spent well over $2K on must have items and new stuff for it. We're learning the tips and tricks to making sure it's level. The LevelMate Pro is a must for leveling. Get the RV completely level R/L & F/B with two levels on the inside floor by the front door. Mount this unit level in the storage area, sync it to your phone app and hit reference. If remembers your level for the next time. This evening when we pulled into the RV park. I turned it after the RV was secure and unhooked from my truck. It told me I was 1" off on the right side and need to come up 3.5". Next I use an 8 hydraulic ton jack on top of a 12" 6X6 to the back of the frame to get it level R/L. Then use the tongue jack to get it level Up/Down. As you raise or lower it shows you real time how your adjustments are going. So simple. No running back and fourth and checking/rechecking. Set the stabilizers and wheel chalks and I was done. Two minutes. I did check it with my levels, spot on in all directions.

We figured if we're going to make the investment, purchase or upgrade stuff to make sure your comfortable and secure. I've probably forgotten a few things

Items we've purchased
LevelMate Pro pure greatness
2' level
CarmTek 10 digit keyless entry replacement front door lock. All steel and heavy duty
Proven Industries Model 2516-B2 Trailer Lock. Read the reviews on tongue locks to secure your RV. Most are easily broken, lots of YouTube videos on simple they are to break.
8-ton hydraulic jack
RV storage bags for all the extra stuff you purchase. These are great and our four pack nylon storage bags are all labeled. Electrical, Fresh Water, Black Water and Accessories
Leveling blocks (10 pack) These are a must
Wheel chalks, these are a must,
OX Blox for your front tongue jack. This is heavy duty and greatness
New 25" water hose, replace the one in starter kit
New black water line, get a 25' footer, replace the 10' one in the starter kit
Water pressure restrictor, this is a must. My starter kit had one seems to work great
Wheel roll up leveling chalks, these are a must
Habor Frieght or Lowes Tool box to have at all times in the storage area
RV surge protector. We have two a 30 amp and a 50 to 30 amp with circuit analyzer. Never know what power will be at the RV park. These are a must
A new 10" Wilderness RV mattress. OMGosh it this incredible. We want one for our bed at home. The 6" thick brick that came with the RV was awful
Chairs for sitting out under the awning.
Coleman 285 portable BBQ propane grill. This one is super portable and nice

Here's a picture of the Level Mate Pro app. Love this thing

[Centermass]

That’s a nice one! I’m not ready for one that size. Mostly because I don’t have the truck or place to store it…

[12th Man]

A corrections and add ons. We purchased a 20' sewer black water sewer line, not 25'.
At the dealership they didn't tell us this. You need (must have) Stainless steel RV bug screens for all of the outside vents on the camper. As it gets colder wasp and fly's and other flying creatures are looking for some place to get out of the cold. We heard nightmares from some folks at other camp grounds that told us it $1000's in repairs to replace refrigerators, heaters, water systems, once they get in and clog up everything. Or you turn a fan on mince them up whereas you can't get them out Our kit was cheap maybe $20 bucks simple to install. Once installed they won't come off, rust or anything else, though they're easy to remove. These ought to be standard.

We also purchased a small ceramic heater that rotates. The heat system is on propane. We were told if it's cold out you don't want to run out of propane in the middle of the night or Sunday when no one is open. We're thinking we're just going to use the electric heater, save the propane for cooking.

Our camper has a 2.5 gallon hot water heater. It heats up in seconds. You can take an endless hot water shower if your grey line is open. It's darn near a tankless hot water heater.

We're really enjoying this RV and hope to make the most of it. My first two trips pulling with my Ram 2500 diesel I got 13 mpg. Yesterday we got 10mpg. You need to figure out where to get gas/diesel where there is a pull through. I had our places figured out based on 12 mpg. At 10 mpg, we had to improvise in Brandy TX to get fuel. We did ok but it could have been bad if there wasn't an open pull through. As I said it's our third trip and we're learning and loving this.

We built a lean to off of the new workshop to store the camper at the ranch.

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